Massage vibrator



Oct- 29, 1940- R. HETHx-:RINGTON 2,219,651

MASSAGE vIBRAToR Filed May 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 29, 1940. R HETHERlNG-[ON 2,219,651

MAS SAGE VI BRATOR Filed May 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l\ Af f 58 l "0 Z5 6@ 44 i fi Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF-ICE A MASSAGE VIBRATOR Robert Hetherington, Sharon Hill, Pa.

lApplication May 5, 1938, Serial Not 206,147

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to a vibrator for use in massage and of the character including a massage applicator of sheet material. The applicator sheet is laterally flein'ble.r It extends across one end or side and may be crank-operated to increase and diminish an upward bowing of the sheet above a front padwhile applying the variantly bowing sheet to a massage surface.

A purpose of the invention is to heat the pad of a massage vibrator of the character indicated, preferably to an arbitrarily chosen degree.

A further purpose is to use removable covers (suitably Cellophane) upon a massage applicator.

A further purpose is to provide a massage vibrator with a belt which is harmonically pushed forward and at the same time sidewise and which is sufficiently wide at its forward end for the varying upward bowing to form a wave definitely swelling the flap of the belt at one side more than at the other.

A further purpose is to provide ynovel mechanism of the character indicated, easy and inexpensive to manufacture and well suitedto the needs of service. v

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

I have elected to show one main form only, showing this however with optional details, which are usually advantageousbut optionally may be omitted, selecting a form that is practical and efficient in'operation and which well illustrates the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a top plan View of structure embodying a desirable form of the invention, the view showing suitable electrical connections with electrical operating and control equipment in elevation.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan View corresponding generally to a portion of Figure 1 but with some of the parts shown in full lines in Figure 1 removed. y

Figure 3 is a section of Figure 1 taken upon the line 3 3.`

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of Figure 1 taken upon the line 4 4.

Figure 5 is a plan development of the massage applicator belt.

Figure 6 is a section of Figure 5 taken upon the line 6 6.

Figure '7 is a section of, Figure 3 taken upon the line 1 1. v

Like numerals refer to like parts in all figures. l

(Cl. 12S-24.2)

Describing in illustration and not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

The mechanical massage unit illustrated includes a supporting body or frame I5, a trans- Verselyextending pad I6, pad heaters I1 and 5 I8, rotor I9 spaced from the front pad, massage applicator belt 20, flexible shaft 2| and electrical energy connections 22 from control box 23.

The control box is intended to carry a variable 10 speed motor 24, motor energy connections that include a rheostat 25 and a switch 26. The heater energy connections include a rheostat 21 and a switch 28. An outside source of current supplies the motor and heater circuits. They may be connected with a battery 29 fory example, but more usually receive current through a plug tting a socket. The electrical connections 22 between the control box and the heater elements of the massage unit, as illustrated, are intended to comprise a two wire cable that preferably for the major portion of its length runs along and is carried by the outer sheathing of the flexible cable 2|.

kThe massaging element or belt, called herein 25 the applicator belt, comprises a sheet 20, preferably of laminated leather or the like. It is usually protected and shielded by cover (Figure 3) suitably of Cellophane, for replacement with a fresh cover after each use. '30

The forward edge of the belt is stationary and is fastened at 3| to the forward face of the pad IB. The rear end 32 of the belt is rocked and oscillated in its .own plane by the crank pin 33 T of rotor I9. The eyelet 34 of the belt loosely '35 surrounds the crank pin 33, in this particular generally corresponding to the form described in applicants U. S. Patent No. 2,053,081, dated September 1, 1936. n

The effective part of the applicator 201s in the loopor bend 36 formed by the slap of the forward portion of the belt, that is, the portion thereof Vabove the pad I6. The slap produces an outward swell which because of the harmonic movement of the crank pin, forms quickly at the 215 one side of the belt-such as 31 straighten s out into an extent of projection ofthe bend which is nearly equal across the entire front-as shown in the outer dashed position in Figure 3- when the crank pin is passing its forward dead f center and projects more at the opposite side as 38 of the belt as the crank pin passes beyond the center. The path of travel of the crank pin from one side to the other causes the projection to benot quite equal across the entire 35 front at dead center. The crank may, of course, rotate in either direction. For the discussion herein the direction of the arrow in Figure 2 has been assumed.

'Ihe slap of the. belt is effective both at the front, i. e., at the end of the massage implement, see 39, Figure 3, and at the side, 40, near the front. Depending upon the shape of the remainder of the tool, application can be made to a patient at the front, at the side, or partly front and partly side.

The variant extent of swell caused at one side or the other is caused by the motion of the crank pin which is not only harmonic, considered in its forward and backward movements but also harmonic in its side to side movements. With a belt wide enough to be swelled by these harmonic movements instead of being merely canted by them, there is a mechanically moving application surface particularly effective for massaging.

With a narrow belt there will not be so much noticeable side swell', as the shift of the belt will result rather in a difference in direction of or canting of the entire belt.

During the forward throw of the belt it will be restrained on the outside by roller 4| of guard 42 and there will be little or no tendency to depress the end of the spring 43. Just as soon however as the rearward movement of the crank pin begins there will be a tendency topull the spring down to some such position as shown in full lines in Figure 3. The effect upon the spring will of course depend greatly upon whether the belt be relatively long, or whether it be comparatively short as in Figure l, in which latter case the belt is drawn to the position shown.

The spring 43 may be fastened to the applicator at any desired point as by screws 44 engaging within the body of the pad i6. The pad may be constructed of any material which is light and which will hold the heat. The use of aluminum has been quite successful. In order to insulate the pad from the rest of the mechanism the plates 45 and 45, constituting a base for the device, are heat insulated by any'sheet material such as paper shown at 41 and 48. The parts are held together by screws 49.

The side pads 50 and 5I on opposite sides of the rotor are optionally integral with the body I5. In the illustration they project upwardly somewhat higher than the top of the rotor I9 to limit the applicator to upward bowing.

The pad I6, as illustrated, is intended to be of heat-conducting material. It is bored at 52 to receive the heaters I1 and I8, and is fastened to the body by the screws 49.

The front pad extends directly across the applicator and preferably seats against the forward ends of the unheated side pads.

The heater elements are intended to be of commercial plug type. They are as shown tubular insert units, preferably alike, each unit intended to contain a resistor suitably connected in parallel with the corresponding resistor of the other.

The ends of the heater inserts are shown projecting somewhat beyond the front pad into the space 53 intermediate the side pads and between the front -pad and rotor, and the heater connections from the projecting ends of the heaters extend to the control box along any convenient paths.

As shown the rotor comprises a circular disc 54 rigidly mounted on the hub 55 of a gear 56'. The gear 56 turns on a tubular pivot 51 that is held to the body by a headed stud 58 and screw 59. The head of the screw retains the rotor upon its pivot.

The flexible connection from the motor to the rotor includes a shaft 60 connected with a gear 6| in mesh with the rotor gear. The shaft is rotatably mounted in a bearing 52 rigidly held in a block 63 that is fastened to the body by screws 64.

The spring 43 eliminates any danger, sometimes present, that the belt will not immediately retract reliably if in use it be deflected too far for effective upward bowing.

The degree of need for the spring will depend considerably both upon the manner of use of the device and upon the characteristics of the selected belt. The spring may be prevented from yielding downwardly beyond a predetermined' small distance by engagement with any adjoining surface or special stop. As shown the spring includes spiral spring portions 65 at the front.

The roller 4l' is carried on a rod St connected across the front of the guard and, as shown, integral with the guard. At its rear end the guard is reversely bent at 6'! so as to be fastened by screws 68. The bend is perforated at 69 above the screws to permit access to the screws.

The device, while intended for use by the average private individual, is yet believed to be particularly suited to use by masseurs, physicians and others whose professional duties include that of professional massage treatments upon different" people.

Inr use the applicator is held to the hand by suitable straps 1B and 1I. The slap of the belt is applied to the affected area and is adjusted with respect to speed and heat by means of the rheostats 25 and 21 so as to suit the existent condition. After the treatment has envigored surface circulation and opened the pores any prescribed salve, medicated ointment or the like may be applied to the affected area and then rubbed in by using the applicator. It will be understood that ordinarily the operator will use a fresh Cellophane cover for each treatment.

Inv operation the heater is effective not only through the belt' to which it is secured but through vibration of the belt circulating the air which is warmed by the heater. The heat effect upon the patients in individual cases will vary according to the part of the belt applied; and the rheostat in the control box may be used to determine whether a gentle warmth only or a considerable heat is to be used in connection with the massage.

It will be evident that the side pads guide the throw or slap of the belt upwardly and outwardly from the. movable end of the belt, that the forward end of the belt provides a cover for the pad viewed as a heater and that vibration of the belt circulates the air against and from the heater with consequent improved distribution of the warm air.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilledl in the art, to obtain part or all of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such in so far as they fall withinV the reasonable spirit and.y scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vibratory massage device, a rotor, side pads higher than the rotor, and on opposite sides thereof, a front pad beyond and across the side pad ends and a belt overlapping the side pads and having onev end fastened to spaced portions of the front pad and the other end in crank connection with the rotor at a portion thereof lower than the tops of the side pads whereby the belt portion intermediate the side pads and toward its crank connection with the rotor is maintaine downwardly concave.

2. In a vibratory massage device, a rotor, side pads higher than and on opposite sides of the rotor, a front pad across and beyond the side pads, a belt overlapping the pads having one end fastened to spaced portions of the front pad and the other end in crank connection with the rotor whereby the belt portion intermediate the side pads toward its crank connection with the rotor is maintained downwardly concave and a spring between the front pad and the rotor pressing the belt upwardly to insure against undue downward bending of the belt during any forward stroke thereof,

3. In a vibratory massage device, a pad, a belt fixed at one end with respect .to the pad, means for vibrating the other end of the belt, a guard limiting the outward movement of the belt at the movable end, and a spring limiting the space for the belt below the guard and adapted to be drawn away from the guard when the belt moves away from the pad.

4. In a vibratory massage device, a pad, a belt rigid with respect to the pad at one end, means for giving the opposite end of the belt harmonic motion both longitudinally and laterally, ar guard for the pad limiting movement of the belt in a direction across the planes of the belt and a spring supporting the .belt on the side opposite to the guard, the guard and spring together defining the path of the belt through the space between them, whereby the portion of the belt exposed beyond the guard is guided and the swell of the belt beyond the shield is emphasized.

5. In a vibratory massage device a pad, a belt fixed at one end with respect to the pad, means for vibrating the other end of the belt, a guard limiting the outward movement of the belt at the movable end, and a roller ,carried by the guard and engaged by the belt.

6. In a vibratory massage device a pad, a belt fixed at one end with respect to the pad, means for vibrating the other end of the belt, a guard limiting the outward movement of the belt at the movable end, a roller on the end of the guard and resilient means on the opposite side of the belt from the guard for guiding the belt and maintaining the level ofthe throw of the belt.

'7. A massage device hawng a pad, a rotor spaced therefrom,-a convexly curved, laterallyflexible belt, pivot connection between the rotor and the belt toward a rearward end of the belt, a fastening between the pad and belt along the forward end of the belt, whereby operation of the rotor changes the convexity of the belt and means for heating the pad to an arbitrarily chosen degree.

8. A massage device having a rotor, side pads on opposite sides thereof projecting upwardly higher than the rotor and projecting forwardly,

a front pad transversely across the forward ends of the side pads, an upwardly convex laterallyflexible belt, pivot connection between the rotor and belt toward the rearward end of lthe belt, a fastening for the front of the belt with respect to the front pad, whereby operation of the rotor changes the convexity of the belt, means for heating the pad and means for controlling the degree of heating'.

9. A massage device having a rotor, side pads on opposite sides thereof projecting upwardly higher than the rotor and projecting forwardly, a front pad transversely across the forward ends of the side pads, the front pad having rearwardly open bores opening into the space back of the front pads, plug resistor heaters, one in each bore, an upwardly-bending laterally-iiexible massage belt, pivot connection between the rotor and belt toward a rearward end thereof, a fastening between ythe front pad belt along a forward end of the belt, whereby operation of lthe rotor varies the bending of the belt, means for energizing the heaters and means for controlling the degree of heating.

10. A massage device having a pad, a rotor spaced therefrom, an upwardly convexed, laterally-iiexible belt, pivot connection between the rotor and belt toward the rear of the belt, a fastening between the pad and belt along the forward end of the belt, whereby operation of the rotor alters the convexity of the belt, a protecting removable cover on the belt, means for heating the pad and means for controlling the degree of heating.

11. A massage device having a rotor, side pads on opposite sides thereof projecting upwardly higher than the rotor and projecting forwardly, a front pad extending transversely across the `forward ends of the side pads, an upwardlybending laterally-flexible belt, pivot connection between the rotor and belt toward a rearward end of the belt, a fastening between the front pad and belt along the forward end of the belt, whereby operation of the rotor varies the bending of the belt, a guide above the rotor, a roller downwardly presented to the belt transversely thereof, a guard supporting the roller, extending rearwardly beyond the motor and having a downward return bend along its rearward edge, means supporting the guard at its said 4rearward edge, means for heating the'pad and means for controlling the degree of heating, l

12. A massage device having a rotor, side pads on opposite sides thereof, projecting upwardly higher than the rotor and projecting forwardly, a front pad transversely across the forward ends of the side pads, an upward-bending laterallyflexible belt, pivot connection between the rotor and belt toward a rearward end thereof and a fastening between the front pad and belt along the forward end of the belt, whereby operation of the rotor rotarily varies the bending of the belt, guides transversely across and respectively above and below the belt, the upper guide providing the belt with roller support from upward movement and the lower guide controlling down- Ward movement, means resiliently pressing the lower guide upwardly, a support for the upper guide, means for heating the pad and means for controlling the degree of heating.

ROBERT HETHERINGTON. 

